QNAP TVS-AIh1688ATX-U9-48G
The TVS-AIh1688ATX-U9-48G is a next-generation AI NAS built for intelligent image analysis, enterprise storage and virtualization workloads. It combines an Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 processor, integrated neural processing, 48GB DDR5 ECC memory, 12 SATA bays, four U.2 NVMe/SATA SSD slots, built-in 2.5GbE and 10GbE networking, and three PCIe Gen 4 expansion slots.
What is the QNAP TVS-AIh1688ATX-U9-48G?
It is a 16-bay hybrid-storage tower NAS designed to accelerate AI image applications while supporting demanding file, media and virtual machine workloads. The system combines CPU, graphics and NPU resources for up to 36 TOPS of AI performance and runs the QuTS hero operating system.
Intel® Core™ Ultra Processing for AI and Multitasking
Integrated compute, graphics and neural processing resources help improve workload efficiency.
The TVS-AIh1688ATX-U9-48G is powered by an Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 processor with 24 cores, comprising eight performance cores and sixteen efficiency cores, 24 threads and a maximum frequency of up to 5.6GHz.
Its integrated neural processing unit helps offload AI inference tasks from the CPU, supporting lower power consumption, improved efficiency and faster intelligent image analysis. Hardware-accelerated transcoding and Intel® Graphics are also included.
AI Image Recognition and Analytics
Up to 36 TOPS of AI performance supports faster and more responsive image-processing applications.
QuMagie Photo Recognition
AI recognition can process large photo collections faster, helping smart album categorisation complete sooner. The supplied information states image recognition is 77% faster.
QVR Face Insight
Facial recognition can complete in 0.2 seconds, with support for 20 cameras for real-time attendance-management analytics.
QVR Human
Supports real-time people-counting data and analytics across up to 24 cameras concurrently.
Hybrid Storage for Capacity and Performance
Twelve SATA bays and four flexible SSD slots balance large storage capacity with low-latency flash performance.
12 SATA Drive Bays
Twelve 3.5-inch SATA bays support 3.5-inch SATA hard drives, 2.5-inch SATA hard drives and 2.5-inch SATA solid state drives.
Four U.2 NVMe / SATA SSD Slots
Four 2.5-inch slots support U.2 NVMe PCIe Gen 4 x2 SSDs at up to 32Gb/s per slot or SATA 6Gb/s SSDs.
Flexible SSD Deployment
SSD slots can be used for cache acceleration, an SSD storage pool or a QuTS hero system drive to improve data access, metadata management and database efficiency.
High-Speed Networking and Expansion
Built-in multi-gigabit networking and PCIe Gen 4 expansion support demanding enterprise workflows.
Built-In 2.5GbE and 10GbE
Two 2.5GbE ports and two 10GBASE-T ports support Port Trunking for increased bandwidth potential and network redundancy.
Upgradable to 25/100GbE
Compatible PCIe network adapters can extend connectivity to 25GbE or 100GbE for intensive file access, media transfer, virtualization and high-speed backup or restore tasks.
Three PCIe Gen 4 Slots
Expansion options include compatible high-speed network cards, storage expansion cards, QM2 cards and the optional QXP-T52P Thunderbolt™ 5 adapter.
Built-In Connectivity
USB 4, USB 3.2 Gen 2 and HDMI™ 2.1 support direct storage, workstation and display connections.
Supports high-speed direct connections for compatible external storage, expansion enclosures, laptops and workstations.
Includes three Type-A and two Type-C ports for compatible storage devices and peripherals.
Provides local display output up to 4096 × 2160 at 60Hz for monitoring, playback and on-site operation.
The QXP-T52P two-port Thunderbolt™ 5 PCIe adapter is sold separately and supports Thunderbolt connections for Windows and Mac hosts and USB storage devices.
Supplied Throughput Test Results
QNAP laboratory figures for the Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 configuration under the stated test conditions.
Read/write with two 2.5GbE ports using SMB sequential throughput with a 1MB transfer size.
Read/write with two 10GbE ports using SMB sequential throughput with a 1MB transfer size.
Read/write with six 25GbE connections using SMB sequential throughput with a 1MB transfer size.
Read/write using one Thunderbolt™ 5 connection in AJA System Test.
Test environment: TVS-AIh1688ATX with Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 285, three QXG-25G2SF-CX6 cards, QuTS hero h6.0.0, and twelve Samsung 870 EVO 1TB SATA SSDs configured as RAID 5 with a thick volume.
Figures were tested in QNAP Labs and may vary by environment.
Petabyte-Scale Expansion
External QNAP JBOD systems can be connected to expand storage as data and backup requirements grow.
The TVS-AIh1688ATX is designed for flexible capacity expansion. Compatible PCIe or SAS storage expansion cards can connect external JBOD systems, helping businesses build larger storage architectures for datasets, media files and backup repositories.
2026 MSP Today Product of the Year Award
The supplied product information states that the QuTS hero-based TVS-AIh1688ATX received the 2026 MSP Today Product of the Year Award.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about the QNAP TVS-AIh1688ATX-U9-48G.
Which processor is installed in the TVS-AIh1688ATX-U9-48G?
It includes an Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 processor with 24 cores, 24 threads and a maximum frequency of up to 5.6GHz.
How much memory is installed?
This configuration includes 48GB ECC UDIMM DDR5 memory and supports up to 192GB using four 48GB modules.
Which drives does it support?
The twelve 3.5-inch bays support 3.5-inch SATA hard drives, 2.5-inch SATA hard drives and 2.5-inch SATA SSDs. The four 2.5-inch bays support U.2 NVMe or SATA SSDs.
What network ports are built in?
It includes two 2.5GbE ports and two 10GBASE-T ports. Optional adapters can add 5GbE, 25GbE or higher-speed networking supported by the supplied product information.
Does it support Thunderbolt™ 5?
Yes, through the optional QXP-T52P two-port Thunderbolt™ 5 PCIe adapter, which is sold separately.
What are the Thunderbolt™ limitations?
The optional adapter supports Thunderbolt connections for Windows and Mac hosts and USB storage devices. Third-party Thunderbolt external storage devices are not supported.
What is the standard warranty?
The supplied datasheet lists a five-year standard warranty.
Memory installation note: For dual-DIMM configurations, use a pair of identical DDR5 modules. Use QNAP memory modules with identical specifications and refer to the hardware user manual before installation.
Thunderbolt™ note: The QXP-T52P expansion card is sold separately. Third-party Thunderbolt external storage devices are not supported.
Lifecycle note: The supplied datasheet identifies TVS-AIh1688ATX-U9-48G as a legacy model.
Product images are illustrative. Designs and specifications are subject to change without notice.
